Artiﬁcial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) systems are no longer niche playgrounds for scientists working in fundamental research. In fact, practical implementations of such systems in real-life applications are already in circulation and are sure to spread further as technology advances (e.g. in terms of the ever-increasing computing power and connectivity).

This event was the first conference on patenting AI technologies held at one of the major patent offices for China, Japan, South Korea, and the USA. The current topic attracted more than 350 participants from industry, academia, user associations, patent law firms, the judiciary, national patent offices, and government bodies from Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.

Artificial intelligence is making its way from universities and laboratories of computer science departments into companies, business models, and the everyday lives of consumers. The market for AI-based technologies is set to grow from US$ 8 bn in 2016 to an estimated US$ 47 bn in 2020. As recently as in 2017, AI technologies saw a 300% increase in investment activities.